The BRAVE OT Podcast | Real Conversations with Occupational Therapy Trailblazers

Ever feel like you're drowning in documentation while the work you actually trained for gets squeezed into the margins? Or maybe you're curious about AI tools but worried about privacy, security, and whether using them is even ethical? You're not alone and this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear. In this episode, I sit down with Raj Paul, Director of Engineering at Jane, where he leads the teams building clinical features designed to reduce administrative burden. Raj brings a unique perspective he's not an OT, but his wife is, so he deeply understands our world. He's also openly multipassionate, generating many ideas and he shares about how he uses AI to challenge and refine his thinking and communicate more effectively. We're having the real conversation about AI documentation tools that so many OTs are craving. Raj walks us through exactly how AI Scribe keeps your data private, how to get proper consent from clients, and why you don't need to be afraid of this technology. But here's what really hit me: We talk about this pervasive belief that for work to be valuable, it needs to be hard. I share about the experience of OT entrepreneur coaching clients who had a turning point when she started using AI for documentation. She realized she'd been using her leftover energy for her family instead of finding ways to work less hard. That shift cascaded into her riding bikes more, making art, volunteering with her kids' sports teams, and actually living her life. Work doesn't have to be hard to be valuable. In this episode, we cover: How AI Scribe actually works and what makes it secure (BAAs, human-in-the-loop design, AWS partnership) Why Jane's team can't access your transcripts or notes - and how they improve the tool without seeing your data Getting informed consent from clients (regulatory considerations, intake forms, and having the conversation) How to start experimenting with AI safely before using it clinically The "AI as intern" analogy - why you still need to check its work Privacy concerns, environmental considerations, and making values-aligned decisions Why Raj uses Claude personally to challenge his ideas and improve his communication The importance of psychological safety in creating better ideas and better outcomes Practical tips: Start with free tools, check your privacy settings, get comfortable before jumping in This episode is for you if: You're curious about AI documentation but need the safety and privacy facts first You're burned out from documentation and wondering if there's a better way You've been seeing AI conversations in Facebook groups and need real information to decide You're ready to challenge the belief that struggle equals value You want to reclaim your time and energy for what actually matters   Ready to try it yourself? Use the code VITALITY or follow this link to get a one-month grace period on a new Jane account, which includes free access to 5 AI Scribe sessions per month. I haven't had a list of chart notes waiting for me in a really long time. They're done in minutes, and it's genuinely changed my practice. My Article: How I Customized My Jane AI Scribe Template to Make it More OT Jane's Article: AI Scribe: How To Talk to Clients & Get Consent Connect with Raj Paul: LinkedIn    

Ever wonder what happened to some of our OT entrepreneur trail blazers who went quiet? If you've been around OT social media or podcasts, you probably know Trish Williams from her brand, OTs Get Paid. In this raw, honest conversation, Trish opens up about why you haven't heard from her in more than a year and it's not the story you might expect. This episode is about what happens when your capacity fundamentally shifts. When perimenopause rewires your brain. When family crisis demands everything you have. When the version of yourself you've been living and sharing doesn't fit anymore. And when slowing down becomes the bravest thing you've ever done. In this conversation, we explore: The collision of perimenopause and family crisis that changed everything Why Trish went back to being a mobile OT after thinking she'd "graduated" from that How cognitive changes in perimenopause can feel like late-onset ADHD The shame that comes with not being able to keep up anymore (and the rotting cooler story) What it really means to slow down when your whole identity was about achieving Redefining "brave", from launching businesses to getting reports done on time The shift from hope to faith when life gets really hard Building boundaries, finding what lights you up, and detaching with love Why volunteering at Pride and Folk Fest became her community lifeline The daily practices that keep her grounded (and why "scary thing" became "brave thing") This episode is for you if: You're noticing your capacity has shifted and you don't know what to do about it You're in perimenopause or menopause and feeling completely disoriented You're navigating a major life crisis while trying to keep your business/career going You're tired of maintaining an image that doesn't fit who you are anymore You need permission to slow down without giving up You're a single parent or primary caregiver feeling stretched beyond your limits, even while parenting adult children You want to hear what building a life that actually works for you looks like Connect with Trish: Email: [email protected] and listen to the OTs Get Paid Podcast.  Join the conversation in The BRAVE OT Facebook group - come share what "brave" looks like for you in your current season.   Questions OTs are searching: What are perimenopause symptoms affecting my work? How do I manage my OT practice with changing capacity? Is it normal to feel burnt out as an occupational therapist? Can I go back to clinical work after business coaching? How do I pivot my OT career in midlife? What does mobile OT work look like? How do therapists handle family crisis while working? Is perimenopause affecting my ADHD symptoms? How do I slow down my OT practice without quitting? What are signs of therapist burnout? How do I rebuild my OT career after time away?

Ep. 50: Sustainable Practice - Purpose + Profit with Jason Stein In this milestone 50th episode of The BRAVE OT Podcast, I sit down with Jason Stein—acupuncturist, executive coach, and the cowboy-hat-wearing wellness practitioner who's mastered the art of building a sustainable occupational therapy practice that honors both purpose and profit. If you're an overwhelmed practice owner wondering how to create more vitality in your work and life, this conversation offers wisdom you can actually use. Jason shares his journey from hospital-based integrative medicine to building a wellness center in rural Oregon (population: one person per two square miles), and how he helps founders and leaders find balance between making money and staying human. We explore Key Vitality Indicators (KVIs) instead of KPIs, why befriending money doesn't make you less spiritual, and the simple practices that are often the hardest to maintain—but create the most transformation.   In This Episode, We Discuss: Why so many therapy practice owners experience burnout and what Key Vitality Indicators can tell you about your business health How Jason shifted from perseverating about outcomes to surrendering control—and why ketamine therapy opened a door to deeper presence The practical magic of closing your eyes for half a breath during heated conversations Why making money and being a heart-centered healer aren't mutually exclusive (and how to befriend money like a best friend) Natural rhythms, seasonal cycles, and why we've disrupted our connection to rest through electricity and hustle culture The Kawa Model (Japanese river model) for understanding life flow, obstacles, and opportunities in your practice (See Ep. 31 for the Find Your Flow Kawa Workshop) How to build a values-based business that doesn't require you to abandon your love of nature, family dinners, or making really good ice cream The truth about AI tools: when they help with self-reflection and when you need actual human connection Some good health advice, "You can pay now or you can pay later, but you're gonna pay" Jane's LIFE CHANGING AI Scribe feature. Check out my article on how I used ChatGPT to customize my AI Scribe template Be sure to use the code VITALITY on your new Jane account for a one month grace period.   About Jason Stein Jason Stein is an acupuncturist, executive coach, and storyteller who blends ancient wisdom with modern leadership. With more than 25 years of experience helping hundreds of people heal and thrive, he supports leaders, founders, and communities in finding the balance between purpose and profit. Jason co-owns Wallowa Avenue Wellness in Joseph, Oregon, and hosts the Wellness Renegades Podcast. When not working, he's outdoors with his wife and kids exploring the wilderness and living close to nature. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn   Resources Mentioned: - Insight Timer app (meditation timer) - Jon Kabat-Zinn - "Full Catastrophe Living" - Kawa Model (Japanese river model for occupational therapy) - Alan Weiss - "Value-Based Consulting" - Marshall Rosenberg - Nonviolent Communication - Maisie Hill - "Period: The Real Talk You Need About Periods" - Claude AI (for business reflection and planning)   Keep the conversation going over in The BRAVE OT Podcast Facebook Group.   Work With Carlyn - Time-Sensitive Opportunity: As we enter October, I'll be focusing my time less on marketing and more on deepening the work with practitioners in my community. If you've been waiting for the deadline to explore ACTivate Vitality with me, reach out this week while I'm still actively booking new conversations. Book a Clarity Call The ACTivate Vitality Program is a community of occupational therapy and wellness practitioners who support each other in building sustainable, values-aligned businesses. We have group coaching calls, an online community, an ACT-based framework to build entrepreneurial and psychological flexibility, and 1:1 support.   About The BRAVE OT Podcast: The BRAVE OT Podcast features occupational therapists and wellness practitioners doing innovative work and navigating the challenges of building sustainable therapy practices. Host Carlyn Neek provides coaching, mentorship, and community support for practice owners who want to thrive without the hustle.

_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> This week on The BRAVE OT Podcast: So many neurodivergent OTs like us have spent our careers trying to squeeze ourselves into systems that weren't designed for how our brains work, for our sensory needs, or for how our values need to align deeply with our work. It is a brave move to one day say "I'm going to create something that actually works for me." Join me as I talk with Breanna James, an OT from Alaska who's been part of my ACTivate Vitality program and community for almost a year. Breanna specializes in supporting neurodivergent adults, and what I love about this conversation is how she talks about creating her private practice as her own accommodation - a way to work that honors both her neurodivergent brain and her values around authentic, client-centered care. You'll hear how she moved from traditional settings that didn't quite fit into building something that works for her life as a parent, as a business owner, and as someone who needs flexibility and play in her work. We dive into why neurodivergent adults desperately need our OT services, how to bring play and creativity back into the mundane parts of business, and why you don't need another certification to start helping the people who need you most. This conversation is for any OT who's been feeling like they need to practice differently, who's struggling with the loneliness of solo practice, or who's wondering if they're qualified enough to work with adult populations. If you've ever felt like you're trying to squeeze yourself into a mold that wasn't made for you, this episode will give you permission to create something that actually fits. Key Topics We Discuss: Creating private practice as your own accommodation for neurodivergent needs Permission to practice OT authentically without fitting traditional molds The power of community and connection for solo practitioners Bringing playfulness back into business and clinical work Why neurodivergent adults need OT services (beyond coaches or counselors) Moving from burnout to sustainable, values-driven practice Using AI tools to support clinical work Breaking free from the "shoulds" and finding what actually works Building teams and having vulnerable leadership conversations Who This Episode Is For: OTs feeling stuck in traditional employment settings Solo practitioners experiencing loneliness and isolation Neurodivergent OTs seeking accommodations in their work Anyone questioning whether they're qualified to work with adult populations OTs interested in supporting neurodivergent adults Links Mentioned: Breanna's website: authenticlivingot.com Contact Breanna: [email protected] Free Play (book mentioned by Breanna) Comment with your favourite comfort shows. Here are ours: Schitt's Creek Grey's Anatomy Friends 30 Rock True Crime Shows and Podcasts Keep the conversation going in the The BRAVE OT Facebook group. Download the 2025 ACTivate Vitality Analysis Report to see what we are talking about. We are currently accepting new OT business owners into the program so we'd love to hear from you. Book a Clarity Call today. Ready to meet Jane and try out the AI Scribe? As a listener of The BRAVE OT Podcast, we invite you to check out our favourite EMR, Jane.app and use the code VITALITY on your new Jane account for a one month grace period.   Questions OTs Are Asking: How can I create a private practice that works for my neurodivergent brain? What support is available for OT business owners? How can I improve my mindset as a business owner? How do I overcome loneliness as a solo practitioner? What's the difference between OT and coaching for neurodivergent adults? How do I bring more play and creativity into my business? Can occupational therapists help adults with executive functioning? Do I need special certifications to work with autistic adults? How do I start working with neurodivergent adults as an OT? What does occupational therapy look like for adults with ADHD? #OTBusiness #NeurodivergentOT #ADHDTherapist #AutismOT #OccupationalTherapy #BRAVEOTPodcast #OTLife #EntrepreneurOT #ACTivateVitality #SustainableBusiness #OTCommunity #PrivatePracticeOT #BusinessOwnerLife #OTSupport #AuthenticPractice  

Waiting until you feel ready to make your next move? Convinced you need more training before you can call yourself an expert? Think entrepreneurs are just naturally fearless? Join me as I talk with traditional Chinese medicine doctor, Dr. Lorne Brown, about the mindset shifts we need to make to move through fear and think like an entrepreneur. Lorne shares how he built a thriving practice by flipping conventional wisdom on its head, committing first to a meaningful challenge, then finding courage, building capability, and finally gaining confidence. You'll hear his adaptation of Dan Sullivan's "Four Cs" framework for tackling scary ventures, how he persisted in building trust with referral partners, even when the doors kept closing, and the real story behind building something meaningful when you have no idea what you're doing. We explore how to reframe rejection as valuable feedback, why your niche might need to choose you, and the inner work (cognitive, emotional and spiritual) required to become a clear vessel for inspired action. This conversation is for any practitioner who's been playing it safe, overthinking their next move, or struggling with the gap between wanting to grow and actually taking action. If you've ever felt paralyzed by not knowing enough or not being ready enough, this episode will shift how you think about courage, competence, and what it really takes to build something that matters. Links mentioned: The 4 Cs Challenge, a book by Dan Sullivan Dr. Lorne Brown's website www.lornebrown.com where you'll find his: Clinic - Acubalance Wellness Center Book - "Missing the Point: Why Acupuncturists Fail and What They Need to Know to Succeed"  Educational Platform - Healthy Seminars     Join us in The BRAVE OT Facebook group to keep the conversation going!   Work with Me: If the gap between you and sustainable action in making your business look like your dream job, reach out. The ACTivate Vitality program is taking new participants in September and we are really good at creating the safe space and accountability you need to implement just what Lorne and I talk about in this podcast.  Questions OTs are asking: How do I overcome fear of starting my own practice? What mindset do I need to be a successful healthcare entrepreneur? How do I build confidence in my business abilities? What's the difference between successful and struggling practitioners? How do I know when I'm ready to take the leap? Meet Jane Jane is an EMR with heart and also the sponsor of The BRAVE OT Podcast. I recently wrote a blog article on how I customized Jane's AI Scribe feature to write chart notes that are better quality and more occupationally focused than my notes have every been before. Read the blog here and, if you decide to sign up, be sure to use the code VITALITY for a one month grace period as listender of this podcast.